Sprayer



INVENTORS. 1 y L gnmFAeZc/wr BY Millie L.' FLETCHER ETM SPRAYER Fil ed April 15 1950 susk May 19, 1953 Patented May 19, 1953 SPRAYER Lynn Fletcher, Lowell, Mich., and William Dickison, Des Plaines, Ill., assignors to Lowell Specialty Company, Lowell, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application April 15, 1950, Serial No. 156,134 9 Claims.- (01. 299-88) The present invention relates to a spraying device and especially to a novel atomizing sprayer in which a liquid such as an insecticide is atomized and discharged in the form of multiple jets which intersect and project a uniform pattern.

An important object and purpose of the present device is to provide in a sprayer of the handoperated type having a cylinder and a pump plunger for projecting a spray of a liquid insecticide, a novel atomizing spray head or cap assembly so constructed and arranged as to atomize and project the spray under high velocity in a novel pattern, whereby to accomplish a greater carry or projection of the liquid particles and a more effective coverage than with prior devices. Y

The present invention further comprehends the provision of a novel spray head or cap assembly including a pair of cap members each having a plurality of spray holes or orifices, the holes or orifices in one member being in aligned or centered relation with those of the other whereby a large volume of spray under high velocity is discharged for each stroke of the piston.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a novel spray head or cap assembly for a sprayer of the reciprocating plunger type, including a pair of outer caps providing a confined liquid chamber therebetween connected to the supply of liquid insecticide and each cap having a plurality of spaced spray holes or apertures opening into the liquid chamber, the holes or apertures being in aligned and centered re-.

lation and of such size with relation to the capacity of the pump as to create a high velocity of air at the oulet whereby the atomized spray is projected for a greater distance and a greater volume of liquid is dispensed with each stroke than may be effected with prior types of sprayers. A further object is the provision of a novel spray head or cap assembly in which the outer cap members are provided with a substantially T-shaped liquid chamber therebetween and each cap member is provided with a series of spaced spray holes or orifices disposed in horizontal alignment whereby the liquid to be dispensed is evenly distributed to each hole or orifice.

The present invention further comprehends the provision of a novel spray head or cap assembly provided with a plurality of uniformly spaced discharge orifices so positioned and related as to project a plurality of jets of atomized liquid or fluid and in which these jets intersect, thereby resultinginincreased turbulence and an 2 enlarged spray pattern in which the discharged particles of spray are reduced to a homogeneous state or uniform size. Thus the resulting spray covers a greater area with a uniform and com-' plete coverage in a substantially less period of time than may be accomplished with prior constructions.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a novel construction and assembly which is non-siphoning in operation. Thus liquid entering the chamber provided therefor is prevented from being drawn back into the pump on the return stroke of the plunger and piston.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a novel spray head or cap assembly having an inner cap member or bafile provided with an outwardly and forwardly inclined or flared surface spaced inwardly from a similarly inclined or flared wall portion of the cylinder, and providing a spreader for expanding at the end of each stroke and while the sprayer is at rest the cup packing carried at the forward end of the pump plunger.

The invention further resides in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and while there is shown therein a preferred emb0diment, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change, and comprehends other details, arrangements of parts, features and constructions without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of the novel atomizing sprayer attached to a container of liquid to be sprayed.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged view in front elevation of the novel sprayer head or cap assembly.

Fig. 3 is a further enlarged view in vertical cross-section taken in a plane represented by the line 33 of Fig. 2. a

Fig. 4 is a view in vertical cross-sectiontakenin a plane represented by the line 44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view in horizontal cross-section taken in a plane represented ing lock seam 3 (see Figs. 4 and 6), an end cap 5 and a pump plunger or rod 5 having its outer or rearward end 6 projecting through a central opening in the end cap and at its extreme end provided with a handle 1 for reciprocating a cupshaped plunger 8 mounted on the inner reduced end 9 of the plunger rod. This cup-shaped plunger -8 is of leather or other suitable flexible material and is mounted on the reduced end 9 of the plunger rod 5 by an inner rigid washer or disc I I held against the shoulder l2 and clamped between the washer II and a smaller washer or disc l3 locked in place by upsetting the end 9 of the plunger rod 5.

Adjacent its forward or outer end the cylinder is flared outwardly at I4 and merges into an enlarged cylindrical flange cr collar li preferably formed integral with the cylinder. In this outer end of the cylinder is mounted Or affixed the spray head or pump cap assembly comprising an inner cap member it of substantially cup shape and provided with a cylindrical end :7 press-fitted into the flange or collar of the cylinder I, and a baffle 18 formed or provided with an outwardly and forwardly inclined surface 19 spaced from the similarly flared portion 14 of the cylinder. An opening or aperture 20 in the baflie provides a discharge port for the passage or ejection of air from the cylinder.

The spaced flared or inclined surfaces on the cap member l6 and cylinder 2 form an annular chamber for receiving and spreading the flanged part 2| of the pump plunger 8 at the forward end of each compression stroke and while the sprayer is at rest. At such times the plunger is in expanded condition with the extreme forward end of plunger prevented from further forward movement by engagement with a shoulder 22 of the baille wall providing a stop or abutment. Thus the plunger is maintained against deformation and its-life and efficiency are greatly prolonged.

At its outer or forward endthe cylinder is closed by a pair of cap members 23 and 24 nested together and spaced forwardly of the inner cap member-16 to provide an air chamber therebetween. The cap member 24 is providedwith a cylindrical flange 25 press-fitted into the cy lindrical end llof the inner cap member [6 and the extreme end thereof is bent over the end of the cylinder, and the outer cap member 23 is nested within-the cap member 24 and provided with a flange 26 which is bent around or spun over the outer flanged and rearwardly bent end of the collar or flange-of the cylinder to interlockthese parts together and whereby to lock the inner cap member IS, the outer cap member 23 and the intermediate cap member 24 in fixed position upon the end of the cylinder. 7

The intermediate cap member 24 is preferably indented to provide an approximately T-shaped channel or recess forming with the outer cap member 23 a liquid chamber 21 connected to a liquid supply container or can 28 by a supply tube 29 having its lower inlet end extending downwardly into the container and its upper outlet end connected to an embossment 3| on the outer cap member 23. To attach the sprayer to the container 28, a screw cap or closure 32 is suitably soldered or otherwise secured to the forward end of the cylinder 2 for detachably receiving the neck or open end of the container. This cap or closure is provided with an opening whereby to prevent formation of a vacuum in the container.

"The intermediate cap member 24 is provided with aplurality of preferably uniformly spaced 4 openings or orifices 33 disposed in horizontal alignment in the cross of the T-shaped channel forming the chamber 21, and provided in the outer cap member 23 in alignment with each of these openings or orifices is a discharge opening or orifice 34 of substantially greater dimensions than the openings or or'iflces'33.

To align and inaintainthe openings or orifices 33 and 34 centered and. in horizontal alignment, the outer cap member 23 and the intermediate cap member 24 are each provided with three or a suitable number of similar embossments or indexing means 35 so spaced or arranged that these can members 23 and 24 can only be indexed and nested in one position and that position is with the openings or orifices centered and in horizontal alignment. Although in the disclosed embodiment the recess or channel forming the chamber 2'! is shown as formed in the intermediate cap member 24, it will readily be appreciated that this recess or channel may be formed as an embossment in the outer cap member 23 and the intermediate member may be formed substantially flat.

In the operation of the sprayer, liquid is drawn into'the confined space formed by the recess or channel 21 provided between the outer cap member 23 and the intermediate cap member 24. Air enters the chamber between the inner cap member l6 and the intermediate cap member -24 through the opening-or. port 20 and is discharged through the series or plurality of spaced'and relatively small openings or orifices 33 in the member 24. As these spray holesare accurately centered or aligned with the somewhat larger spray holes orapertures 34 in the outer cap member 23, a high velocity of air is created at the outlet or discharge holes, thereby forcing the. atomized liquid out in the form of multiple .jets issuing'at high velocity and which project the spray for a considerably greater distance from the operator than is accomplished with other forms of sprayers. Furthermore,;as shown in Fig. 5, the jets intersect and assure ahig'h degree of atomization. Unlike that in other forms, the blast of air is not impeded by a syphon tube that partially obstructs the air or passage.

By locating the air outlet hole or port 20 in the inner cap member above the center line of the horizontally arranged spray holes 33 and 34, suetion of liquid from the liquid chamber21 back into. the pump chamber upon the back orsuction stroke of the plunger is prevented. The location of the spray. holes in a 'substantially'horizontal plane, permits the liquid to be evenly -distr-ibuted to each hole or orificaand by this novel arrangement and positioning of thespray holes, a fine and highdegree of atomization is efiected and a'large output of liquid spray is obtained whereby 'toaccomplish a complete coverage of agiven space or area in aconsiderablyless timethan required with prior types of 'sprayers. Thespacing and arrangementwofthe parts also assures commencement of discharge of the sprayat the beginning of each stroke and any leakage of liq= uid through the openings is prevented.

The. particle size issuing from the intersecting jets is small and uniform and-due to the high velocity-and resulting turbulence the distance ot' carry of the spray is substantially greater-than effected by other types and constructions.

Having thus disclosed the i'inventionywe claim:

1. In an atomizing sprayer having a cylinder and'a plunger operable therein,- acap assembly for the open end of the cylinder and comprising a transverse. partition adjacent one end of the cylinder provided with an inclined expending surface against which the end of the plunger engages and is expanded, an air discharge port in the upper portion of the partition, and an end cap assembly comprising an outer and an inner transverse member providing a closure for the end of the cylinder, said outer member being nested within the inner member and each provided with a flange anchored to the cylinder and said members each having a plurality of spaced apertures arranged in horizontal alignment and a liquid chamber therebetween aligned with and into which said apertures open, and a liquid supply tube discharging into the chamber whereby liquid entering the chamber is discharged through the apertures in the outer member in the formof a plurality of intersecting jets.

, 2. In an atomizing sprayer for spraying a liquid insecticide and the like and provided with a pump cylinder and a plunger adapted to be reciprocated therein, a pump cap for an end of the cylinder including a pair of members nested together with the outer member nested within the inner member and providing a transverse and horizontally arranged elongated chamber therebetween, means for supplying this chamber with liquid, spaced indexing means accurately locating said members in a predetermined nested position, the inner member having a plurality of uniformly spaced apertures opening from the cylinder to the liquid in the chamber and the outer member having a plurality of similarly spaced apertures aligned with those in the inner member and opening into the liquid chamber and to the atmosphere, the last mentioned apertures being substantially larger than those in the inner member whereby upon each forward stroke of the plunger a plurality of jets of finely divided spray are ejected at high velocity through the apertures in the outer member and which jets intersect and are projected over a wide area.

3. In a liquid sprayer, a pump cylinder for supplying air under pressure, and an end cap assembly for the cylinder and comprising an outer and an inner cap member formed to provide an elongated and horizontally disposed recess therebetween and extending across the cap members to provide a confined liquid chamber, a source of liquid supply for supplying the chamber with the liquid for spraying, spaced air passages in the inner member communicating with the cylinder and chamber and similarly spaced passages in the outer member aligned with those in the inner member and communicating with the chamber and atmosphere, whereby air under pressure is discharged through the aligned apertures and projects a plurality of horizontally aligned jets of liquid spray under high velocity and with the adjacent jets intersecting to dispense a large volume of liquid as a homogeneous mist, and indexing means on said outer and inner cap members for maintaining these members in fixed position with their apertures aligned.

4. In a sprayer adapted to discharge and project a plurality of intersecting jets of atomized liquid under high pressure, including a pump cylinder and plunger for supplying air under pressure, a spray head at one end of the cylinder and including an inner cap member, an outer cap member and an intermediate cap member, said inner and intermediate members mounted in spaced relation to provide an air chamber therebetween with the inner member provided with a port for the passage of air from the cylinder to the air chamber, said outer member being nested within the intermediate member and each provided with a flange secured to the cylinder for anchoring said members in fixed position, a plugrality of spaced and relatively small apertures in the intermediate member for discharge therethrough of air under. pressure from the air chamber, a liquid chamber between the intermediate and outer members for receiving the liquid to be dispensed, and a plurality of apertures in the outer member located in aligned relation with the apertures in the intermediate member but of somewhat greater size to discharge therethrough theliquid in the form of a plurality of intersecting sprays under high pressure. Y r

g 5. In an atomizing sprayer having a pump cylinder and plunger for supplying air under pressure, a cap assembly for the open end of the cylinder and including a transverse memberv spaced inwardly from the'end of the cylinder and a pair of cap members spaced forwardly of the transverse member and nested together to provide an end closure for the cylinder, said transverse member having an air passage in the upper portion thereof, a central baffle and an, annular ,outwardly and forwardly flared surface and the wall of the cylinder adjacent thereto having a similar annular outwardly and forwardly flared surface to receive and expandthe end of the plunger at the forward end of its stroke, an air chamber provided between the transverse member and the inner of the cap members, said cap members being so constructed and arranged as to provide a substantially T- shaped liquid reservoir therebetween and each provided with a plurality of horizontally aligned apertures therethrough opening into said reservoir, whereby upon operation of the plunger air is discharged from the air chamber between the transverse member and the inner of the two cap members and through the apertures in said inner member and liquid in the form of intersecting jets of atomized spray is discharged through the apertures in the outer cap member, said air Dassage in the transverse member being located above the spray apertures in the cap members whereby suction of liquid from the liquid reservoir to the cylinder through the air passage is prevented.

6. In an atomizing sprayer for spraying liquid insecticides and the like, a cylinder and an end cap assembly for the cylinder including a transverse partition adjacent one end of the cylinder provided with an air discharge port in the upper portion of the partition, a pair of nested members provided with a confined transverse and substantially T-shaped liquid chamber therebetween, a tube for supplying the lower end of said chamber with the liquid insecticide, said nested members having a plurality of laterally spaced and aligned apertures opening into the chamber and to the atmosphere for discharging the liquid in the form of a fine mist issuing from each of the apertures of the outer member whereby to project a spray in which the liquid particles are atomized, and means for locating and retaining said nested members with their apertures aligned.

7. In an atomizing sprayer of the type adapted to spray a liquid insecticide and the like, a spray head therefor including spaced partitions, the inner of said partitions having a discharge port providing an air passage in the upper portion thereof and providing with an intermediate partition an air chamber therebetween, spaced indexing means accurately locating said intermediate and outer partitions in a predetermined nested case-am relation, said inter-mediate partition and the outerpartition providing-therebetween a liquid chamber for receiving a confined quantity of the liquid to lee-sprayed, spaced apertures provided in the intermediate partition for supplying air from the air chamber into the chamber-for the liquid and similarly spaced apertures in theou'ter partition aligned with those in the intermediate partition for discharging from the liquid chamber into the atmosphere a plurality-oi fine-jets of liquid spray.

8.'In an atom'izing sprayer of the type adapted to-spray *a liquid insecticide and the like having a cylinder for-supplying air under pressure, a spray head assembly for one end of the cylinder including an inner, an outer andan intermediate partition, the inner of said partitions having a discharge port providinganair passage therethrough and providing with the intermediate partition an air chamber therebetween, said intermediate partition and the outer partition providing therebetween a liquid chamber for receiving a confined quantity of liquid to be sprayed, spaced apertures provided in the intermediate partition for supplying air from the air chamber into the'liquid chamber and apertures in the outer partition spaced in conformity with those in the-intermediate partition and opening from the liquid chamber into the atmosphere for discharging a plurality of fine jets of liquid spray, said outer partition being nested within the intermediate partition and said inner, intermediate and outer partitions each provided with a flange secured to the end of the cylinder for rigidly 8 anchoring said partitions thereto and indexing means for accurately locating the. outer and intermediate-partitions :in a predetermined nested relation in :whiehv their apertures are aligned.

9. In- :a spray head for attachment to an end of the cylinder of a liquid :sprayer, a pair of members nested together with the outer member nested 'w ithin the inner member and providing atransverse and horizontally arranged elongated chamber'therebetween, means'for supplying this chamber with -liqu id, ithe inner member having-a plurality of spaced apertures opening from the cylinder to the liquidinthe chamber and the outer member having a-plurality :of similarly spaced apertures aligned-with those in the inner memberan-d opening into the liquid chamber and to the atmosphere, with the 'last mentioned apertures being substantially larger than those in the inner. member through which a plurality of jets of finely idivided sprayareeje'cted-at high velocity, and spaced indexing means -for accurately -loeatingsaidw-members i in a predetermined nested relation-with their apertures in alignment.

LY-NN FLETCHER. WILLIAM DICKISON.

*Bef'erences Oited in the flle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,792,804 Brandt Feb, 17, 1931 1,851,588 Nelson Mar.,29, 1932 2,233,161 Fitch Feb. 25, 1-941 

